Close-up Competition Rules

To Enter

Any member in good standing may sign up for this competition by simply sending an e-mail or by phoning any one of the officers. Sign up as early as possible; sign ups will be accepted up to 24 hours before the scheduled competition is to begin.

The Venue

The goal is to create an atmosphere as close to a formal close-up environment as possible. Close-up is defined as an act presented in a formal performing area with a table. If you've visited the Magic Castle, picture its close-up room. Depending on the number of guests, they will join together in groups of about and will be seated typically in 1-3 rows arranged in a semicircle. The last row will likely be standing to allow all to view the table.

Important: The seating is not raked! So you can't expect audience members in the 2nd or 3rd row to be able to see the top of the table. Plan you act accordingly.

Rules

Only paid up members of Ring 216 are eligible to perform

An act may be performed without using a table but a table will be present. Up to two seats will be available for spectators to sit at the table next to the contestant.

Performances must be accomplished in 6-8 minutes (depending on the number of competitors) and should include at least two effects. A penalty will be assessed if the performance runs under or over the time limits above. It is possible that performance time will increase based on the number of participants.

At least two performance areas will be set up the meeting room. Each contestant will perform the same act for each group.

Points will be taken off your score if you exceed the max time limit or violate any other rules

You will be expected to help out with the execution of the competition event when you are not competing (ie...handing out pencils, ballots, timer, explaining rules, guiding lay people to their tables, gathering stuff back, etc...)

There will be a 2-minute reset time between performances.

There will be time at the beginning of the competition for instructions.

If you've won in the past, you are free to compete, but you have to perform a different act.

Judging

The decision of the judges, president and board is FINAL. Non-participants will rate the performers in four categories using a scale of 1 to 6 in each (six being the best mark possible). The four categories are:

Originality - Did the participant add his/her own elements and personality to the routine? Did he/she create something new that we haven't seen before?

Presentation - Did the participant establish eye contact with the audience and minimize distracting twitches or mannerisms; and was he/she dressed appropriately with proper posture, diction and speed?

Technique/Technical - Did the participant flash, reveal, or fumble over techiques or patter?

Magical/Entertainment Value - Were the effects truly magical in nature, entertaining in the presentation and was the finish clearly understood and related to the presentation?

In addition, laypeople will vote on a People's Choice award. The decision of the judges, president, and board is final.

About Ring 216

Welcome to the San Jose, CA chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the world’s largest association of amateur and professional magicians. To learn about attending our meetings or becoming a member, just click here.